Make your vote count!
My husband and I are 32-year non-resident property owners in Middletown. I am a Newport Fifth Warder, a graduate of Thompson Junior High, Rogers High School and Salve Regina University. As a teenager I started working in restaurants throughout Newport, and after college I had a career at Raytheon. I married and relocated to Central Massachusetts. My husband purchased our second home in Middletown in 1994 so we could raise our family close to my family and friends. He always knew that in my heart, this will always be home.
I am writing this letter because for non-residents there is no voice representing or looking out for us. Many of us non-resident homeowners are from Aquidneck Island, inheriting generational family homes or buying a home to be close to our families. Many second-home owners I’ve met were stationed here in the military and have chosen the area to retire and to be with their families and grandchildren. We are vested in the community. We’ve had our homes for many years. We support local businesses, restaurants, grocery stores, landscapers, contractors, hairdressers, fundraisers and community events. We have purchased cars in Middletown.
Middletown residents may not know that as non-residents we pay a 30% surcharge on our property taxes. For as long as we have had our second home here, we have been supporting your schools, fire and police departments and infrastructure — everything a resident is taxed, we are taxed, with an additional 30%. This was implemented to keep resident taxes at a lower rate and to support the town in maintaining a cost-effective budget. There is no accountability as to where the extra 30% is allocated, nor does it appear to be supporting the residents of Middletown. There is always a financial shortfall. There is no accountability.
We pay our taxes without any representation. I ask the residents of Middletown: Is this a tax rate you would want forced on you? We have provided the town with free capital — no children in the schools, very little if any police or fire calls — and the roads are a mess, electrical and cable wires hang in knots, and culverts go unmaintained, which causes flooding in rainstorms.
Middletown residents deserve transparency and honest representation.
I read the article “Middletown Democrats endorse 4 of 11 candidates” (Oct. 22, 2026), and there is no substance or reason given for choosing the candidates they are endorsing.
They endorsed:
Paul Rodrigues, who is credited with keeping Middletown’s “residential tax rate in the bottom quartile among Rhode Island’s 39 municipalities.” This is easy to do, given that non-residents pay the 30% increase that maintains a lower resident rate.
Barbara VonVillas, who said: “No one likes change — but change is inevitable. Resistance based on emotion or self-interest is a distraction.” (Aug. 5, 2025) The residents spoke in volumes many times regarding the proposed Middletown Common development. This was emotional because the residents were not heard and were intentionally ignored. As far as self-interest, the residents stood in numbers protecting Pottsy Field, as well as against the unexpected removal of the library and against another hotel, bank and housing that wasn’t benefitting anyone but a developer.
Christopher Logan, whose only mention was that he and VonVillas “have provided steady hands in support.”
Henry “Rick” Lombardi, for whom no reason was given at all.
In the event the Middletown Common development should resurface during the next term, keep in mind that Barbara VonVillas, Tom Welch and Peter Connerton voted in favor of the hotel proposal despite the public concern and opposition of hundreds of Middletown residents. How many meetings did you have to attend to have your voices heard?
As homeowners in Middletown, we follow the news, the politics, and the interests and concerns of our neighbors. However, we cannot vote.
I wish I could say please join me in voting for, but I am a local islander at heart and a tax-paying non-resident. These are the candidates I am asking Middletown residents to please cast a vote for:
- Dennis Turano
- Charlie Roberts
- Leonidas Amarant
- Mike Flynn
- Terri Flynn
I have followed their interests and leadership in the community and believe they have an honest, dedicated, wholehearted commitment to fairness for all Middletown residents. Your voices will be heard. This is a team that will be proud to represent you.
Thank you for allowing me to send a letter to the Middletown residents. I appreciate the opportunity to be heard.
Gigi (MacDonald) Lewis
Non-resident property owner, Middletown
What’sUpNewp welcomes letters to the editor and op-eds from Newport County residents and property owners. Election-related submissions must be received by Oct. 30. Send yours to ryan@whatsupnewp.com. Submissions may be edited for length, clarity and style, and do not reflect the views of What’sUpNewp.
